Method of working converters



3 Sheets--Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. BAYLISS, Jr.

METHOD 0? WORKING CONVERTERS. No. 347,918. Patented Aug. 24, 1886..

WITNESSES IJV'VEJV'TOR F Attorney N, PETERS. phntn-Lilnngnphar,Walhlngion, n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. B. BAYLISS, Jr.

METHOD OF WORKING CONVERTERS.

No. 347,913. Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

(No Model.) a Shets-Sheet s.

B. BAYLISS, Jr. METHOD OF WORKING CONVERTERS. No. 347,913. Patented Aug.24. 1886.

gTJVESSESW r I .Attorney State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainUNITED STATES ATENT O FICE.

BENJAMIN BAYLISS, JR, OF BELTZHOOVER, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF WORKING CONVERTERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,913, dated August24, 1836.

Application tiled April 8, 1885. Serial No. 161,619. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN BAYLISS, Jr., of Beltzhoover, in the countyofAllegheny and new and useful Improvements in Methods of NVorkingConverters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters of' reference marked thereon, which formpart of this specification.

My invention relates to the art of manufacturing iron and steel; and itsobject is to maintain atemperature of fluidity of the mass in the bottomsection ofa converter during transit between the furnace and thestationary portion of the converter, or between the latter and themolds. I attain this object by the method herein specified, and themeans illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is anelevation of a converter and accessories embodying the principles of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the converter. Fig. 3 is anelevation of a plat form capable of vertical reciprocation and adaptedto hold the truck and appurtenances shown. Fig. 4 is a view of thehandle by which the efflux of slag is controlled. Fig. 5 is a verticalsection through the platform of the truck and cogged turn-table, showingtheir relative posit-ion. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the truck. Fig. 6is a detail view of the valve which regulates the discharge of the slag;and Fig. 7 is a detail view of the under side of the platform, showingthe sliding balland-socket joints operating in slots, whereby thevertical reciprocations are effected.

The same designations indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

In practice it has been found that the use of the bottom section of aconverter to serve as a movable receptacle for the molten mass to andfrom the stationary portion of the converter (besides its normalfunction) involves a loss of heat and consequent fluidity, whichseriously impairs the successful execution of subsequent operations.This invention is therefore intended to supply a deficiency in theapparatus shown in Patent No. 313,079, granted to me March 3, 1885, tothe end of obviating the objection noted.

' A B 0 represent the sections of my con-i verter. Concentric with thesection A is a hot-air chamber, N, having removable covers 0 to permitof renewing tuycres Q. The sec tion B is keyed and luted to section A,and they normally rest together upon supports F F. The airpassage N isattached to the outer surface ofsection B, and connects the hot-blastpipe G with the chamber N. The section B is also provided with trunnionsI? P, rotating in bearings F F when so actuated by the gear-wheel K,operated by an endless screw, K. On the other side, where the blast isadmitted, a cold-water pipe, I, is provided to maintain an eventemperature with that of the other trunnion. The section 0 is intendedto be removably joined to B by keys and luting, for it is a feature ofmy invention that this section shall, besides its normal purpose, serveas a ladle to transport the fluid mass from the furnace to theconverter. A cogwheel, S, on the side of 0, when operated by a pinion towhich power is transmitted by a band-wheel, H, tends to alter theinclination of the support D and the contained section 0 to pour themetal. The support D is secured upon the truck R, which, by means of themovable platform E, can receive section 0 from and restore it to sectionB. The truck R is recessed at B to permit of placing the coggedturn-table R and the operating-pinion R flush with its surface. Anannular groove, It, is provided to accommodate the bolts R duringrotation, anda socket or depression, R, affords a bearing for thespindle It, ouwhich theturn-table revolves. The frame B being bolted tothe turn-table R moves synchronously therewith and transmits theimparted motion to the supports D, thus horizontally varying theposition of the section 0, so as to bring its spout M in alignment witha suitable discharge-receptacle.

When the section 0 is in transit between the furnace and the stationaryportion of the converter, a cover, 0, is provided to keep approximatelya uniform temperature therein. A loop, X, serves to handle the same, anda hinged door, Y, permits inspection of the interior. YVeighted levers LL, attached by a sliding ball-andsocketjoint to the base of the platformE, and secured rigidly to the shafts T T, effect the reciprocations ofthe platform, the movement of the levers in the are of a circle beingcaused by a pinion, U, on the shaft U, which derives its motion fromgearwheels T 'I" on the shafts T T. that are actuated by a hand-wheel,V. M is an aperture through which metal and slag are poured. W is avalve to control the efllux of slag from section 0, and it is operatedby handle W, which is rigidly secured thereto. X X are platform-guides.

The operation is as follows: The section 0 is run to the furnace bytruck R'. The molten metal is then charged. The cover 0, or itsequivalent, is then placed on the section. The truck and contents areconveyed to the stationaryportion of the converter. The cover 0 isremoved. The section 0 is secured to section B by keys and luting, thehot blast turned on.and the converter alternately inverted and restoredto secure homogeneity of the mass. The slag is drawn. The section 0 isdisjoined and conveyed to the molds, where its contents are poured. Anyremaining slag is dumped after the metal has been discharged.

I do not herein claim the special apparatus shown for effectuating myprocess, as this is covered by my application No. 164,652, filed May 7,1885.

Heretofore in converting processes a sectional converter has beenemployed whose lower portion could be conveyed to charge and dischargethe metal, as shown in my patent of March 3, 1885, above referred to;but therein no provision was made for maintaining fluidity of the metalduring transit. The obviation of this defect is the purpose of my present invention. I do not aim to change existing converting processes,except so far as the maintenance of a fluid temperature of the mass inthe bottom portion ofa sectional eonverter is concerned.

I am also aware that a converter has been patented in which asemicircular plate is secured by bolts or clamps over the mouth of aunitary converter, as well to prevent'the escape of gases from themassas to obviate atmospheric access during trausit of the converter. Myinvention is solely addressed, however, to the maintenance of a fluidtemperature in sectional converters during transit.

Having thus fully described my improvements what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The process of refining crude iron herein described, which consists incharging the fluid metal from the furnace direct to the lower portion ofa sectional converter, then covering the same to maintain a temperatureof fluidity in the mass, subsequently conveying said section to thestationary part of the converter, raising it from the ground-level.removing the cover, attaching the section to the remaining sectionswithout affecting the relative location of the latter, admitting a hotblast, periodically inverting and reversing the vessel to attainhomogeneity of the metal, subsequently inclining the vessel to dischargethe scoria, then disjoining the lower section, covering the same fromatmospheric contact, lowering it to the ground-level, and finallyconveying the section to and discharging the contents into the molds,for the purposes herein fully set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN BAYLISS, JR.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH BLAOKSHAM, 0. R. Town.

